Avoiding Intimacy Read online

  “Don’t worry,” Marco spoke softly as he returned to a standing position. “I won’t leave marks, not when you’ll be wearing that costume.“

  She could hear the need in his voice, and she was sure he could feel her body revving up at his touch. She wanted to ask to feel him, even if only through her jeans, but he wouldn’t want her to just yet. Later, he’d make her beg. He’d make her want to beg.

  The first blow was always the worst. He didn’t like to warm her up to it, and he never told her when it was coming. The smack across her ass wasn’t the hardest she had ever received, but she still released a small yelp as her body went forward onto the desk. Marco was already making it better, rubbing the site of his hand mark, easing her discomfort. She would be feeling that one later.

  The second and third came together nearly equal in force to the first, and they were just as unexpected. She clenched her jaw to keep from yelling out again.

  That hurt like a bitch, but she was so turned on.

  He was attentive to her pain, rubbing the area again, while his right hand traveled between her legs. She moaned at the blending of pleasure and pain from his experienced touch.

  He slapped her ass again, harder than before. She whimpered, never knowing if she wanted him to stop or continue.

  “You’re my little star.”

  She nodded her head. She was seeing stars.

  “Just the way I fucking like her—that nice piece of ass high in the air and pussy screaming my name,” he said, stroking her more demandingly before landing another blow. “Star?”

  “Uh huh?” she all but moaned in anticipation as his hand came down another time. God, yes!

  “You were a bad girl. You like me fucking punishing you? Do you like this?” he asked, his hand coming down hard and quick.

  Chyna wondered if it really would leave a mark, but at this point, she couldn’t care less. She had other things on her mind.

  His hand fisted in her hair, tugging on it hard enough to pull her head back, her back arching. He teased her, smacked her lightly, as he pressed against her just like she had wanted. She felt his erection against her ass, and she gyrated her hips.

  “You like when I show you how bad you are?”

  She responded by grinding her ass harder against him.

  “Star?” he cooed, slapping her ass until she stopped moving. “You clearly like me punishing you. Do you like being punished or teased?”

  She bit her lip hard and waited for the spanking she knew she deserved when she didn’t answer. It was an exhilarating feeling, knowing how much he was enjoying himself while he aroused her growing climax.

  Marco’s hand returned to play between her legs, and she gasped as her head was released back to the desk. Another smack hit her ass hard. “Answer me. Do you like to be punished or teased?”

  “Both,” she managed to get out. God, he did things to her that were unbelievable. Her body was on fire. She would have pleaded for release if he would give it to her.

  “That’s right. You like both, and I like both,” he said, rubbing her ass between both of his hands. He moved them to her hips and forced her back against his dick.

  “Please,” she sputtered out, losing control and begging.

  He ran himself up and down the crease of her jeans and across her covered opening. “I love to hear you beg. You want me to fuck you?”

  “God, yes, please! Marco,” Chyna moaned, “fuck me.”

  “I’m not sure you want me enough,” he said, pressing harder and hitting her ass again.

  “Marco, please, make me come. Please, God!” she cried as he massaged the area.

  He sighed, almost resigned to giving her what she wanted, as he knelt behind her. He trailed kisses across her butt and down between her legs. Breathing hot between her legs, he made her tremble with desire, and she fought desperately to not take control of the situation. Slowly, painfully slow, Marco backed away from Chyna, who was still lying out across the desk. A shiver ran up her spine from his absence. He landed one more blow before walking away.

  “See how good you’re being. I wish I could finish you. I fucking want you on this desk, but I have a show to run,” he said in a low guttural tone. “Now, don’t move that tight ass until I leave. I like to see it up in the air. However, you do need to get dressed. I’d prefer you wear nothing and show off your real beauty, but there’s something to be said for a little mystery. Don’t you think, my gorgeous star?”

  She whimpered. “Yes.”

  “You better not get yourself off when I leave.” Leaning down over her from the other side of the desk, he growled into her ear, “I’m coming for you after the show.”

  Chyna waited a few seconds after the door clicked shut before righting herself. The bastard! Leaving her there all alone and desperate for an orgasm. She wanted to go find the first guy she could and fuck him senseless, just for payback. No one left her wanting. No one!

  She made it halfway across the room before she changed her mind. Yes, she wanted to kill him, but now wasn’t the time. As much as she wanted to forget her obligations, she was still the centerpiece of the Glam Ball. If she ever wanted to keep modeling, she needed the Ball, and she needed Marco. She turned around angrily and stomped back to the big fucking desk. What a big fucking asshole!

  Chyna opened her clutch and fished out her international cell phone while she waited for help. No way could she get into that outfit alone.

  “Chyna?” Lexi asked, yawning into the phone. “What time is it over there?”

  “Hey, chica.” Chyna breathed. See, she’s a good friend. “Not sure, like ten or eleven.”

  “Jesus.” She yawned again. “And, you’re not drunk?” Lexi giggled.

  “Bitch.”

  “You love me.”

  “I miss you.”

  “I won’t miss seven-thirty wake-up calls,” Lexi said, yawning big again.

  “Sorry.”

  “When do you come home? I need your ass in New York.”

  At the mention of her ass, Chyna cringed and rubbed her sore backside. “Not sure on that either. Soon? Wait!” she cried. “What are you doing in New York? I thought you moved in with Ramsey.”

  “Uh…” Lexi hesitated.

  Oh fuck! What had she missed?

  “I moved back. We broke up,” she explained.

  “What?” Chyna asked in a shrill tone. See what happened when she didn’t call for a week. “Why the fuck did you break up? You were cookie-cutter perfect a week ago.”

  “Um…well, my dad had a heart attack, and I found out that Ramsey is a compulsive liar.”

  “Oh God, is your dad okay? Are you okay?” Chyna asked quickly.

  “Yeah, my dad’s fine. I don’t know if I am though. Ramsey dated Parker. They almost got married in college, Chyna.”

  “Hold up. Let’s back this shit up. I thought he’d never had a girlfriend.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Bastard!” Chyna was using the word a lot lately.

  “Also, he got me the job in Atlanta and never told me he pulled strings. I don’t know, C. Just seems pretty fucked-up when Jack is the one comforting me.”

  Chyna groaned. Did she say she understood that obsession? “At least you have one constant,” she replied sarcastically.

  Lexi laughed at the statement. “He’s getting married, Chyna. He’s not my constant anymore.”

  “Uh huh. Don’t sound so sad about it.”

  “Oh, shut up. It’s Jack.”

  “Don’t I know it?”

  “Anyway,” Lexi drawled out, “how is Milan? Anything new?”

  Besides her aching backside? “I’m about to change into my outfit for Glam Ball. It starts in an hour or so,” Chyna told her.

  “Are you still the focus or whatever? That’s a pretty killer opportunity.”

  “Yeah. I am.”

  “And…” Lexi prompted.

  Damn, she knew her too well.

  “There’s this fashion designer—“


  Lexi immediately started laughing. “Of course there is.”

  “Whatever, chica. I don’t know what to do about him.” Chyna hated admitting it. As furious as she was with Marco, she wasn’t sure she actually wanted to give up whatever they had.

  “Give him up and come home.” Chyna wished it was that easy. “New York is where you’re meant to be. You own New York City,” Lexi reminded her. “I didn’t think any guy would change that.”

  “It’s not that he’s changing that.” Man, it was weird for Alexa to be the one giving advice. “He’s just a complication.”

  “Speaking of complicated—” Lexi began.

  “What else have you gotten yourself into?”

  “Not me! I’m talking about your complicated. I’ve been hanging out with Adam lately…”

  The sentence hung in the silence. Chyna tried to push Adam out of her brain. She didn’t need to think about him. They had made the right choice in breaking it off before she left. She wasn’t a good girlfriend in New York, so she would be a terrible one halfway across the world. Why was she even still thinking about Adam?

  She couldn’t help it though. “How is he doing?” she asked.

  “He’s alright, C. We’ve been an interesting pair this past week—two heart-torn lovers and all,” she said with a giggle. Chyna couldn’t miss it, not from Alexa.

  “Sorry I couldn’t be there. I’d totally watch you veg on pot after pot of black coffee and gallons of double chocolate, chocolate chip ice cream.”

  “While you ate carrots and complained about being fat?”

  “Only when I am fat,” she told her, knowing full well that she was far from fat.

  “Miss you, C,” Lexi said softly. “I miss my no-nonsense best friend.”

  Was that her? Then, why did she take nonsense from every guy she actually thought she wanted?

  A knock on the door brought her back to reality. Tonight was Glam. “I miss you, too, Alexa. I’ll be home before you know it, and I’ll let you drag me to Serendipity despite the calories. But, right now, I have a show to put on.”

  CHAPTER 2

  MARCH FOUR MONTHS EARLIER

  “Frederick, darling, don’t you love this?” Chyna asked, pointing at a crystal-cut vase.

  “Don’t you have one like that already?” he asked, placing a hand on his hip.

  God, why did he have to be gay?

  “Don’t act like you know my entire collection.”

  “Honey, I fucking picked out your collection. Remember who has the good taste in the relationship. If I leave you alone, you’ll probably strip down the black leather sofas again and add animal print and bamboo,” he cried dramatically.

  “Then, don’t leave me again, fucker,” she said, walking away from the crystal display.

  “Don’t be such a cunt then,” he said as a matter-of-fact.

  She loved him! Any man who used the c-word as a compliment was someone she could appreciate.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Do you want to get lunch? I know this incredible vegan cuisine a block from here. To die for. I took my boyfriend, Dallas—”

  Chyna groaned, interrupting his statement.

  “there last week. Also, shut up, hooker. And, he fell in love!”

  “With you or the food?”

  “Well, when I took him home and fucked his brains out…me.”

  “Well played.”

  “Thank you,” he said with a knowing smirk. “So, lunch?”

  “I can’t. I have to meet my boyfriend, Adam—”

  Frederick groaned, mimicking her.

  “Adam. Also, groan all you want. Take me on a silver platter at your convenience,” she said, spreading her arms wide.

  “You couldn’t handle it, sweetheart.” He patted her arm sympathetically.

  “Bring it,” she challenged.

  Frederick just laughed and followed her out of the boutique. They walked arm and arm down Madison Avenue. Chyna wrapped her cashmere scarf tighter around her neck, bracing against the winter temperatures. They both paused before the new store being constructed on their favorite stretch of Madison.

  There was an endless amount of buzz about the new store. An up-and-coming Italian designer had broken Madison before he turned thirty years old. She had hardly been able to believe it until his one-of-a-kinds started circulating in her group of friends. She had been shocked by their style, elegance, and creativity. Today, they had unveiled the gorgeous, shiny gold sign that topped the Italian boutique—Marco’s.

  She practically salivated at the store. It was more than perfect. It was her—everything she loved and more.

  “Fuck. I can’t wait to get my hands on those clothes,” she said.

  “You and everyone else in the city, hun.”

  “Why haven’t I requested him to commission something for me yet?” she asked Frederick, reluctantly walking away from the display.

  “Probably because he’s not taking orders,” he reminded her.

  “Right. Damn. Bad timing for him to go pre-made on me,” she complained.

  “Yes, how inconsiderate of him to expand his career. Doesn’t he know better?” Frederick asked with dripping sarcasm.

  “I know, right?! Doesn’t he know who I am?”

  “I doubt men with that much drive care, sweetie.”

  “I’d make him care,” she said with a knowing smirk.

  “You’d just get your ass in trouble.”

  “Probably,” she agreed with a giggle. “But, I like trouble.”

  “Don’t we all?”

  “Anyway, girlfriend duties to attend to. Gotta go, lover.” She kissed both of his cheeks before darting across the street to her waiting town car.

  Chyna hopped in the backseat and rode off of Madison Avenue. She was supposed to meet Adam at the gym, and then they were going to go get lunch. She was a little early, but that was alright. She liked to see him all sweaty.

  Rounding the corner toward the New York Sports Club, her driver pulled up in front of the building.

  “You don’t have to wait today, Carl. Adam likes to drive for some unknown reason. Take the rest of the night off.”

  “Thank you, Miss Chyna. Have a nice night.”

  “You, too, Carl.”

  Chyna exited the town car and rushed quickly into the empty gym. The attendant waved her through. She had been here enough that they all recognized her now.

  “I think he’s on the basketball courts,” the young perky blonde directed.

  She couldn’t have been older than eighteen. Probably getting lost in the city, trying to pursue her dream. Chyna wondered what that was like. She had never loved anything enough to do that.

  Pushing aside those thoughts, she opened the door to the courts and entered, slipping silently into the room. Adam was there with one other guy playing one-on-one ball. Both guys were covered in sweat, drenching through their cut-off shirts. Adam’s longish hair was a mop, sticking to his forehead and slinging around as he attempted to maneuver around his opponent. He was so cute and aggressive when he didn’t know she was watching.

  Her eyes moved to his opponent just as he stole the ball from Adam. Her eyebrows rose when she got a closer look at him. Hello! Excuse me, who the hell was he? He was even in height with Adam but broader. Gah, those shoulders! His hair was very short brown, almost military cut, but it worked for him. And, tattoos—she was such a sucker for well-placed tattoos. She could see one etched into the inside of his left bicep, and when he raised his arms, another one was written across the side of his right ribs. Where else do you have those?

  Tattoo Guy pulled a sharp pivot move on Adam, passed him, and did a layup, scoring. “Game,” he said, raising his eyebrows and that lovely left arm into the air.

  Hmm…what was written there?

  “Fuck!” Adam cried. “I hate that move.”

  “Gets you every time,” he said with a lazy smile.

  Oh, this guy was used to winning. Interesting. She k
new Adam was really, really good.

  Breaking the confrontation, Chyna walked her heeled feet on the court. The clicking noise drew both of their attention. Yep, there it was—interest.

  “Hey, baby,” Adam said, rushing over to her with a big goofy grin on his face. He brushed a kiss across her lips, careful not to get her sweaty.

  “Hey,” she said, breaking into a smile. “Who’s your friend?”

  “Oh, I’ve been meaning to introduce you two, but there was never a good moment. This is my older brother, John.”

  Well, fuck.

  “John, this is my girlfriend, Chyna.”

  “Nice to meet you,” John said, sticking out his right hand.

  She shook it, making eye contact. Well, it’ was still there. Perhaps, John was thinking fuck, too. Adam’s brother was gorgeous. There were similarities between the two, but fucking hell if John wasn’t exactly the kind of guy she normally went for. Just her type.

  “You, too. I didn’t realize you were in town.”

  “Yeah, I have the long weekend off before I have to fly to Japan on business.”

  “Oh, interesting. So glad Adam clued me in,” she said, glancing at her boyfriend.

  “Can’t be mad at him. I never told him. I just never know when I’ll be in the city.”

  “Ah,” she said with a smile.

  “Hey, we’re gonna go clean up, and then let’s get lunch. We won’t be long,” Adam told her.

  “Alright. I’ll just wait out front.”

  Chyna stole a glance at John once more before exiting. He was staring at her rather attentively, his eyes smoldering. She made a hasty retreat. Not good.

  She walked off the court and back over to the front desk area. The blonde attendant was on the phone talking insistently to a girlfriend of hers rather loudly. Chyna tried to tune her out as her thoughts drifted to what had just happened.

  She didn’t want to be attracted to her boyfriend’s brother. This had never been a problem before because…well, she had never had a boyfriend that she stuck with for more than a couple of weeks. There was something about Adam that she really liked. She wasn’t sure what that was exactly, but she did like him. He wasn’t the kind of guy that she normally went for by a long shot but damn if he wasn’t so sincere. He liked her for who she was and had never cared about anything else—not her money, her family issues, or her illicit social life. He had helped her out in her time of need when he totally could have taken advantage of the situation, and he had asked for nothing in return. She knew labeling someone a nice guy was the kiss of death, but Adam brought nice guy into its own category.